Car accidents are already a nightmare, but when you find out the other driver barely has insurance—or none, which happens more than people think—it adds another layer of “Seriously?” to the whole situation.
That’s when an uninsured/underinsured motorist claim in Phoenix (UM/UIM) comes into play. This coverage steps up for you and anyone riding with you when the person at fault can’t actually pay for the damage they caused.
A lot of Arizona drivers are surprised (I was too) when they learn how common this is. The Insurance Research Council says millions of folks drive around without proper coverage every single year. So yeah, the uninsured motorist claim is basically a safety net so you’re not stuck paying medical bills, repairs, and everything else just because the other driver dropped the ball.
In this article, we will break down what UM/UIM coverage actually does, how to collect the right documents (without accidentally losing your mind), and what usually happens once the insurance company starts poking around.
Therefore, if these are a few things that you want to know, keep on reading this blog till the end…
10 Steps To Take For An Uninsured Motorist Claim
Here are the steps that you need to take when you file for an uninsured motorist claim. Take a look at them:
Step 1: Understand What UM/UIM Coverage Includes
UM/UIM insurance is there for that exact moment when the other driver shrugs and says they don’t have enough coverage. In Arizona, it’s optional, but honestly… it’s one of those things you don’t appreciate until you really, really need it.
It usually helps cover:
- Medical costs
- Lost income
- Damage to your car
- Pain and suffering
- And, in awful situations, funeral expenses
It generally protects you, the people riding with you, and sometimes even folks in your household listed on the policy.
Step 2: Report The Accident To Law Enforcement
If you get into a crash in Phoenix—or Mesa or Glendale or wherever—call the police. Seriously, even if the other driver says, “Let’s handle this ourselves,” don’t skip this. The police report ends up being super important for your uninsured motorist claim.
The officer will usually collect:
- Statements from everyone.
- Witness names.
- Insurance info.
- Notes about the scene.
If things get messy later (and they often do), you’ll be glad you have that report.
Step 3: Gather Essential Evidence
The more stuff you save early on, the less stressful things get later. Try grabbing whatever you can:
- Photos of the cars and the scene.
- Any video (dashcam, phone… even doorbell cameras nearby if you’re lucky).
- Witness info.
- Medical records.
- Receipts for stuff you had to pay out of pocket.
- Repair estimates.
- Tow-truck paperwork.
It doesn’t have to be perfectly organized—just keep it somewhere you’ll remember. Your future self will thank you.
Step 4: Notify Your Insurance Company Quickly
Most insurers want to know about accidents pretty fast, especially if there’s an uninsured motorist claim in the mix. When you call, just stick to the basics:
- What happened.
- When and where.
- Who was involved.
- Police report number.
- Any clear injuries.
No guessing, no dramatic storytelling. You’re just opening the claim, nothing more.
Step 5: Confirm The Other Driver’s Insurance Status
UM/UIM coverage only applies when the at-fault driver:
- Has no insurance, or
- Doesn’t have enough to cover everything
Your insurer will ask to see the other driver’s policy details to confirm what’s available. This part—“exhausting coverage”—has to happen before your UIM benefits can kick in.
And if the driver disappeared after the crash (hit-and-run style), you might still qualify for a UM claim. So don’t panic if that’s your situation.
Step 6: Submit Supporting Documentation
Once your uninsured motorist claim is open, expect a lot of requests for paperwork. Things like:
- Medical bills
- Treatment notes
- Imaging results (X-rays, MRIs—yes, all the fun stuff)
- Pay stubs showing missed work
- Photos of injuries
- Repair invoices
- Proof of any other losses
If you can start gathering this sooner rather than later, it speeds things up and also helps the adjuster understand the full picture.
Step 7: Cooperate With The Investigation
Your insurer will go through their own process to figure out liability and damages. They might ask for:
- A recorded statement
- Permission to get medical records
- A vehicle inspection
- Additional documents
Just read everything carefully and keep copies for yourself. I know, it sounds obvious, but papers magically disappear when you need them most.
Step 8: Understand How Your Policy Limits Affect Your Uninsured Motorist Claim
Your UM/UIM payout depends on the limit you picked when you bought your policy—whether you remember selecting that amount or not. For example:
- Let’s say you have $50,000 UM/UIM
- Your total losses are $90,000
- The at-fault driver carries only $25,000
Your coverage might fill in the rest—up to your $50,000 limit.
The declarations page of your policy is where you can double-check these numbers (though it might take a minute to decipher).
Step 9: Consider Seeking Professional Guidance
Sometimes UM/UIM claims get complicated—faster than you expect. People often get help when:
- The insurer starts questioning medical treatment
- There’s a delay (or a flat-out denial)
- Multiple drivers were involved
- Injuries are serious
- Long-term care is on the table
Having someone in your corner can keep things fair, especially if the insurance company pushes back.
Step 10: Keep Track Of Deadlines
Arizona gives you two years for most injury claims. That includes UM/UIM, and sometimes your policy has shorter internal deadlines—those fun little surprises buried in the fine print. Starting early means you’ll have time for investigations and negotiations without rushing at the end.
Get Your Uninsured Motorist Claim Right!
Filing a UM/UIM claim while you’re still recovering can feel like too much, honestly. But when you break everything down into these steps, it becomes way more manageable.
Acting quickly, keeping your documentation together (or at least not losing it), and knowing how your policy works all put you in a better position to get the compensation you’re entitled to. And yeah—having UM/UIM coverage before something like this happens? It’s one of those things you don’t think about until suddenly you’re really glad it’s there.
